Game apparatus



G. l... BONHAM Aug. 9, 1932.

GAME APPARATUS Filed June 27, 19:'0

f2 Sheets-Sheet l G` L. BONHAM GAME APPARATUS Filed June 27. 1930 2 Sheetshee.

Patented Aug. 9, 1932 UNIT GUY L. BONHAM, OF WEST HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT GAME APPARATUS Application led June 27,

This invention relates to a game apparatus and has for its object to provide a ball adapted to swing like a pendulum when propelled by the player, a series of pins or game pieces being set up where the ball will strike them on its return movement if properly directed.` A further object is to provide a resilient stop for the ball whereby its swinging movement in one direction is limited.

A still further object is to provide a stop which, if desired, can be utilized for imparting a supplemental impulse to the ball at the beginnin of its return movement.

A still urther object is to provide an apparatus which includes as a complete unit, a

suitable inclosure for the game pieces, a supporting frame for the ball and its resilient stop, and a means for holdingthe ball in inactive position where it can be reached readily by a player.

W'ith the foregoing and other objects in View which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed may be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings the preferred form of the invention has been shown.

In said drawings Figure 1 is a plan view of the game apparatus.

Figure 2 is a front elevation. Figure 3 is a View partly in side elevation .and partly in section.

Figure 4 is an enlarged section through the ball rest.

Figure 5 is a plan view of a portion of the resilient stop.

Referring to the figures by characters of reference, l, 2, and 3 designate front posts connected by rails 4 to which is connected a coarse fabric 5, preferably of metal which constitutes a guard. @ne of these posts, 3, is extended upwardly above the upper rail 4 and is provided with a cup 6 lined with felt 5u 7 or other suitable soft material and adapted 1930. Serial No. 464,396.

to hold the ball B of the game apparatus when not in use. Post 2 does not extend abovethe Y rail 5, butthe post 1 extends upwardly like post 3 and to the upper end portions of the posts 1 and 3 are connected side rails 8. Ad- 55 ditional side rails 9 and 10 are connected to the posts 1 and 3 and extend backwardly therefrom, these rails 9 and 10 being attached to panels 11 of metal fabric or the like constituting guards. 6o

At their rear ends the rails 8, 9, and 10 are connected to posts 12 which, in turn, are connected by back rails 13, 14, and 15. Rails 14 and 15 are connected by a rear guard panel 16. An intermediate post 17 is connected to the middle portions of the rails 13, 14, and 15, and terminates at its upper end at the level of the top rail 13. Intermediate side posts 18 areconnected to the rails 8, 9, and 10, and converge upwardly from the rails 8 to a short bar 19, which, in turn, is connected by braces 20 to the upper ends of the posts 12. A cross rail 2l can connect the upper ends of posts 12 and arranged back of this cross rail is an arcuate frame member22 inclined downwardly and rearwardly fromy the rail 21 and supported at its center by a brace 23 which is extended upwardly and rearwardly from the upper ends of the metal rear post 17.

Arranged within the space defined by the cross rail 21 and the arcuate member 22 is a back stop 24 formed of heavy canvas or any other suitable fabric, the edges of which are connected to the rail 21 and the frame member 22 by springs 25 which are constantly under tension. Thus the back stop 24 is held normally taut.

A base in the form of a triangular board 26 or the like is adapted to be placed on the supporting surface beneath the converging portions of the posts 18 and serves to support the game pieces 27 which can be ten pins.

The ball B is adapted to be connected to the bar 19 by a length of flexible material such as a strong cord 28.

In practice the ball normally rests in the cup 6 as shown. At this time the connection 28 hangs slack. The game pieces 27 are placed on the base 26 after said base has been positioned with its center at one side of a vertical line extending through the center of bar 19 Where the connection 28 is attached.

The head pin is arranged toward the back of the apparatus. The player removes the ball B from the cup 6 and releases it so that it Will .swing under the posts 18v and toward the back stop 24 Without coming into Contact with the game pieces. On its return movement the ball, if properly guided, will strike certain of the pins. fllieibackn s`1top24fV limi-ts Y the swinging movement of the ball, and if the ball is propelled thereagainst forcibly, Vcertain of the springs 25 will elongate and thereafter promptly contract so thataniinpulse Will be imparted; to the ball atV the beginning of its return stroke.

This game apparatus can beset up out of doorsY or in; large rooms, and will be found v to be an entertaining substitute for the ordij nary game of ten pins. Y v

vIt desired, andas shown in Figurev 2, the collapsible desk 29 of any preferred construc tion4 canA be removably mounted on. the side rails 8 and 9 Where scores canbe kept. "What is claimed is: Y

. Game apparatus including game pieces, a structure extending thereover, a ball suspended Jfrom. sai-d structurev and adapted to beV swung relative thereto sopas to strike the game pieces on the returnrnovement of the ball to- Ward the player, and a resilient back stop in the path of the ball, andinclined downwardly away from theplayer, said back, stop including a flexible strip adapted,` to be v.engaged by the ball, When rcraching,` one limit of its movement, and yieldingJ means Jfor holdin the strip normally taut,lanldrrexpediting. the return of the ball in the direction of the game pieces. Y

Y In testimony that I' claimtherforegoing as my own, have hereto aiixed my signature.

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` GUY L..BQNHAM: 

